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Hedwig Hall- A Discussion of All Things Harry Potter

By Shellee Ashmore

Services for Real Estate Pros with The Inner Iris Photography

October 06, 2007 03:28 AM

Hedwig Hall Discussion 1

Hedwig Hall

Harry Potter has fast become a household name and whether you love him, hate him, or just aren't to sure yet, chances are you have more than heard of him a little. J.K. Rowling and her Harry Potter series are above and beyond famous, but why? Is it J.K.'s gift for imaginative story telling, gripping plots, or just plain old engaging writing that attracts you? Or is it the imaginative Characters we love so much that keep us coming back for more? Whatever it is, I want to know your opinion and how much you loved the books. Lets not talk to much about the ending though, as everyone may not have had a chance to finish the story yet. We can save that for future discussions, because believe me, I have an opinion or two to share!

I can tell you strait up that my favorite of the lot was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I loved it for its darker qualities and all the great interaction between charicters I have become all to attached to. I liked them all, but this is the one I keep going back and rereading parts of when I need a Potter fix. This book in particular holds a special vividness in my imagination; and It is a great thing to be so enveloped in a book that you laugh out loud at the funny bits. For me it is a major sign that the book I'm reading is the creation of an accomplished author. I would recommend this series of books to anyone, young and old; because they each of them have something to offer all audiences. Now that is something that can't be said about just every book out there sitting on a shelf some where.

A Word of Warning: Some may be tempted, so I just want to say that I do not intend this discussion to offend any religious sensibilities that anyone may harbor. I hope I may safely say that the majority of readers are able to completely separate these books from religion and for this discussion lets keep things light and fluffy. In other words lets not go there... this is meant to be fun. If you genuinely did not like the books however, please feel free to share why (just don't be surprised if I disagree with you...lol)!

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Marchel Peterson

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

I am on book 3 re-reading the series. I really love the way Ron and Hermonie stand behind Harry. They are true friends. They sometimes have their squabbles but they are always there for each other.

Oct 14, 2007 07:35 AM

Candy Henthorne

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring Texas Real Estate

I too love the way Ron and Hermonie stand behind Harry. I was going to name them at first, however, decided to pick characters that were more behind the scenes and sometimes did things under unusual circumstances that were exceptional and made an impact on me.

Oct 16, 2007 12:00 AM

Shellee Ashmore

The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

I agree with you both, and lest face it; there where few charicters that I found disagreeable at all. But that brings me to a new thought, What Characters did you dislike and why?

For me there where times when both Dumbledore and Harry drove me crazy with their excentric behavior; as in Harry's, though understandable, temper fits and impetuious behavior and Dumbledore's "silent treatments" and secrecy. I love both Charicters in their way but they where the ones that would make me clench my teeth sometimes.

Oct 16, 2007 01:35 AM

Candy Henthorne

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring Texas Real Estate

I disliked Percy to put it mildly! (until the end) He went against his family for power and that was unforgivable!

There are others-I will think about this and get back to you.

Oct 16, 2007 01:54 AM

Shellee Ashmore

The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

I agree with you Candy. Percy definitely earned every bit of the ill will we feel for him! Such vain ambition as he possessed is completely deplorable.

Oct 16, 2007 07:31 AM

Marchel Peterson

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

My characters that I disliked would have to Draco Malfoy and his side kicks Crabbe and Goyle. They all three are bullies; although Crabbe and Goyle just go along with whatever Draco comes up with. I don't particularly care for Draco's Dad Lucius; the nut does not fall far from the tree. Lucius makes you understand why Draco is the way he is.

I am just in the process of re-reading the series and I am ready for book 4. You noticed I said ready. I realized that I had read my daughter's books who now lives in New York City so ordered my two missing books 4 & 5 off of Amazon. I thought it would take me longer to read book 3 but enjoyed it so much that I breezed through it, so now I have to wait for my snail mail book 4 to come. I highly recommend re-reading them now that all the books are available, she did a great job of tying things together through the books.

Oct 16, 2007 09:46 AM

Alan Burwell

McHugh Realtors - Sequim, WA

I recently heard that Ms. Rowling confirmed that Dumbledore was gay. Did anyone else hear this? Did anyone else figure this through the reading?

Nov 06, 2007 03:32 AM

Marchel Peterson

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

I am just finishing re-reading the series and I have not seen ANYTHING that would make me think Dumbledore was gay.

Nov 06, 2007 12:15 PM

Alan Burwell

McHugh Realtors - Sequim, WA

I remember saying "What?!!" when I heard that. I never saw that in the reading either.

Nov 07, 2007 05:33 AM

Candy Henthorne

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring Texas Real Estate

I agree with Marchel, I never got the impression that Dumbledore was gay.

Nov 07, 2007 06:36 AM

Shellee Ashmore

The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

Ok... well i have done a little research on the whole Dumbledore is gay thing and it seems to me that there may be some truth to it. There is nothing to support it on JO's sight by herself that i can find but i did find an article on The Leakey Cauldron.org which i trust as having pretty up to date info! *here* is the article if you want to take a quick look. I must say that this surprised me. I can see small revealings of character that might insinuate this point but i never thought that JO would come out and admit it to her public. I always think some things are better left to interpretation and personal opinion. Announcing this sort of background character info takes a little bit of the mystery out if it in my opinion.

Nov 08, 2007 02:27 AM

Candy Henthorne

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring Texas Real Estate

Shellee - Well, I am surprised, but it doesn't matter to me one way or the other. I now will have to read the entire series over and will look for any hints to this. Maybe it is in his mannerisms possibly?

Nov 08, 2007 02:32 AM

Marchel Peterson

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

I read the article and this is my opinion but I think she was just responding to her audiance "My truthful answer to you... I always thought of Dumbledore as gay. [ovation.] ". She never really came out and said it, even at that conference. I am on book 6 re-reading them and just don't see any indication.

Nov 08, 2007 03:50 AM

Shellee Ashmore

The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

Well whatever the case is or was I am not going to let it taint my love of the series. Dumbledore will still be the same old Dumbledore i first imagined him as and nothing anyone can say shall change that! there is something to be said for reader interpretation.

Nov 12, 2007 10:03 AM

Marchel Peterson

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Shelle, I am at the end of book 6 and still have not seen anything that makes me think Dumbledore is gay. As you said it is reader interpretation and as far as I am concerned he is not.

I love these books but I really think they are categorized incorrectly. The first 3 books could be categorized as children's books but from there on they really are not.

It is going to be hard to decide which one is my favorite after I get them all finished again. By the way I highly recomend reading them all again in order, it really makes sense of the story. I don't expect you have a lot of time to read at the moment with two little ones.

Nov 12, 2007 03:14 PM

Alan Burwell

McHugh Realtors - Sequim, WA

Shellee, thank you for the link. I never saw it in the books. I will definately re-read the series, especially the Deathly Hallows. I never saw Dumbledore as JKR says. He has always been a wise, kind, loving, yet stern headmaster.

Nov 13, 2007 08:27 AM

Shellee Ashmore

The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

Marchel- indeed i do not have a lot of time, you are right. And the little time I do have is spent on new material that I am constantly buying or checking out from the library. I have reread all of them at some point but not in the proper order it is true! Harry Potter will always be one that I come back to reread though, always!

Kathy- My suggestion is not to put to much weight on it. These sort of things are viewed in Great Britain so much more differently than where I come from in the south. At the end of the day it is still just one persons opinion and I for one am not going to let it change the way I read the books!

Nov 13, 2007 10:39 AM

Shellee Ashmore

The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

I think it is safe to talk about the last book installment now. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was a very interesting read. I loved the intensity of the plot and the whole situation with Snape. What i want to know is how you felt about who died? Did it make you mad or did you think it was kind of an easy way out on JK Rowlings part?

Feb 04, 2008 02:34 AM

Candy Henthorne

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring Texas Real Estate

Shellee - what an interesting statement as I did think it was an easy way out. I guess she had her reasons as Harry learned from it that he had indeed been watched out for all along.

Feb 04, 2008 07:00 AM

Shellee Ashmore

The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

*SPOILER* I dont know what i expected exactly but i did not care for the last chapter where they're all grown up and live happily ever after. And i did not care for her making Lupins and Tonks son grow up without parents to mirror Harry's situation. It just seemed so out of proportion with her style of writing. I had read that she wrote this last chapter a very long time ago when she was still dreaming up book one and i can kind of see that now that i have read the last book in relation to the series and her development as a writer along the way. It seems very different and out of place with the rest of the story.

Feb 05, 2008 10:49 AM

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